Apparatus for golf practice.



No. 702,828. Patented lune I7, |902.

A. B. SMITH.

APPARATUS FR GOLF PRACTICE.

(Application filed Oct. 10, 1901.)

(No Model.)

tummy UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED BOVMAN SMITH, OF READING, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 702,828, datedJ uney1'?, 1902. Appnaion ined october 10,1901. senti no. 78,267. (No man.)

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED Bow-MAN SMITH, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Rhodell, Hamilton road, Reading, England, haveinvented new and'useful Improvements in 'Apparatus for Golf Practice,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a golf-exerciser or apparatus for golf practice,the primary object being to provide means whereby the game of golf maybe satisfactorily practiced at home either indoors or outdoors and theaccuracy and strength of the drive ofthe player closely gaged. Y

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a target for golfpractice so constructed that the ball will be arrested if it fails tostrike the target and in case it hits the target will be returned by arebound without danger of injury to the player or others.

The invention comprises a target which will insure the harmless reboundof the ball and in the detail characteristic features which will befully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification, anddefined in theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective of a golf-exerciserembodying the invention adapted for outdoor use. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the target or iiight-gage. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewshowing the rear side of the target and means for securing the same onthe ground. Fig. 4 is a modified form of target, and Fig. 5 is a view inperspective of the seeing-ground employed in connection with theapparatus.

The reference-numeral l designates a net of wire-cloth or any othersuitable fabric supported in vertical position by standards 2, thelatter being either driven into the ground, as shown in Fig. l, orotherwise supported when the apparatus is used indoors.

3 designates the target or flight-gage, consisting of a plate of anymaterial which will insure the rebound of a ball striking it, as

wood, metal, or vitreous material. The lower end of the target rests onthe ground, and from a point 4 adjacent to said lower end the plate isinclined forward, as clearly shown. 5o

VThe targetl may be secured in position centrally in front of the net bymeans of parallel rods 5, sharpened at their lower ends and passedthrough eyes or keepers 6 on the back of the inclined portion of thetarget. The forward inclination of the target prevents the ball in itsrebound after striking the target' from glancing upward and striking theplayer or others.

The standards 2 are preferably braced by 6o guy-ropes '7.

8 designates a tape-line laid on the ground and extending from thescreen toward the player, and said tape-line measures the distance ofrebound of the ball, and thus determines the strength of the drive. Arow of pegs 9 may be substituted for the tape-line.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings Ihave illustrated a teeing board or plate1l,consisting of an oblong plate of suitable material having at 7o itsinner end a strip of metal l2 to keep it flat upon the surface, and atthe proper point in the plate is secured a rubber tee 13, on the top ofwhich the ball :is placed preparatory to being hit and driven againstthe target, as indicated.

I claiml. In a golf-practice apparatus, a target consisting of avertical base-plate and a forwardly inclined and upwardly-extending 8oplate, substantially as specied.

2. In a golf-practicing apparatus, a target consisting of a base portionand a forwardlyinclined upper portion, and downwardly-extendingfastening rods to hold the target 85 against rearward movement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED BOWMAN SMITI-I.

Witnesses W. G. WILSON, F. DUCK.

